Will Fraine believes another 50 to 70 first-innings runs could leave Yorkshire handily placed in their LV= Insurance County Championship clash with title chasing Hampshire at Scarborough – as long as they are on it with the ball.
Hampshire showed the way this morning as Yorkshire fell to 33-6 before Fraine (53) and seventh-wicket partner Dom Bess (67) recovered things with a 116 stand through the afternoon.
Both fell just before close, which came early because of rain – there was no play beyond 3.45pm, and the hosts will begin day two on 158-8.
“We’re not in an ideal spot,” admitted Fraine. “But myself and Bessy grafted really hard, and we’re confident that we can put 200-220 on the board. It’s not an easy wicket.
“They bowled really well up top – there’s no question about that. They got the best out of conditions this morning. They swung the ball and nipped it. But we have an attack that can do exactly the same. Having Coady back in, it really strengthens us up top.
“It was frustrating myself and Bessy got out towards the end. It would have been great to see the day out together.
“He got a good ball, and I would have played the same shot every ball. It was slower and I was too quick on it.”
Fraine continued: “Fingers crossed when we get chance to bowl, we’re on it and we start the way they started.”
On the toss, which Yorkshire won and elected to bat, Fraine said: “It was a really tricky decision. I don’t envy Patto and the coaches in making that. It looks like a good deck. There’s not a lot of grass on it. Conditions weren’t great today, but it was a 50/50 call.
“We knew either way it was going to be tough – a graft – because these boys are in good form and they’re a good side. They’re a well oiled machine, and we’re a team in a phase of learning and building.
“We just weren’t as good as they were this morning. That’s the reason we found ourselves in the position we were.”
Fraine posted his first Championship fifty of 2022 in his fourth game, and he and Bess playing superbly to recover things after lunch on a day shorn of nearly 42 overs.
“You can’t go nowhere against this attack,” he said of the afternoon action-plan. “You have to look to score.
“We got a few more bad balls, and we made our own luck with our intent.”
He added: “My scores haven’t shown it, but I’ve felt really good this year.
“I’ve got thirties and twenties in the games I’ve played. It’s the best I’ve ever felt. I’ve got a solid defence now, which I haven’t really had the last two years because I’ve been in and out and struggling with my technique.
“But I’ve worked out a technique and a game now. I’ve always had the attacking shots, but it’s just about putting together an innings.”
